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Two weeks have passed since the 2004 NHRA POWERade season wrapped up, which means it's time to reflect on the season that just thundered past.

Plenty of surprises dotted the 23-event season, as usual, but some stood out more than the rest. The following is a subjective take on the five biggest surprises of the year. Believe us, even the most prescient drag racing devotee didn't see all these coming.

1. Warren Johnson suffers 8 DNQ's

There was a time, not very long ago, that the mere idea of six-time Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson not qualifying for a national event would have been considered lunacy. But in 2004, especially in the season's second half, WJ was a chronic non-qualifier. Heading into the year's final race in Pomona, he went through a stretch of nine races in which he DNQ'ed at seven of them. Then he ended the year with another missed field. We knew he was playing catch-up with Greg Anderson but the thought that 15 other drivers would perform better than the Professor during qualifying wasn't as outrageous as it had been in the past.

2. Larry Dixon wins only two races

In 2002 and 2003, Larry Dixon cruised to two consecutive POWERade Top Fuel titles, and with tuner Dick Lahaie seemingly unable to make a wrong decision, a third championship was a distinct possibility as 2004 began. But right from the outset of the schedule, the Miller Lite team couldn't string together round wins and competitive consistency. Late to switch to the setback blower, and with new tires and new rules forcing the category to change combinations at mid-season, Larry and Co. never really got into a groove. We expected he'd have a real battle on his hands to repeat for a thirds title but who would have predicted a sixth place points finish?

3. Jeg Coughlin moving to Schumacher Racing

Granted, two years ago there was talk that Jeg had considered a move to Team Mopar but the talk quickly died down and not much more was said about it. Then, last week, he and Don Schumacher announced Jeg would be leaving his family-owned Pro Stock team next year to join Schumacher's two-car Mopar operation. Jeg won two championships with his own team and has always had the security and familiarity of racing under his own house rules. To leave that all behind and sign on with Schumacher's ultra-sized drag racing conglomerate has many NHRA followers asking "Why?" A genuine surprise.

4. Ron Capps resigns from Snake Racing

Since 1997, Ron Capps has seen his drag racing star rise steadily while driving for the legendary Don "The Snake" Prudhomme. Capps has enjoyed a strong run in the Funny Car class-twice coming close to winning the POWERade championship-but 2004 was a steady downpour of disappointments. With good looks, driving versatility that few drag racers can match, and a sizable fan base, Capps is a hot property, and despite a relationship with Prudhomme that goes beyond strictly the professional, Ron handed in his resignation as a disheartening season was winding down. He is rumored to be moving to Team Schumacher, but regardless, his decision to leave Snake Racing was unforeseen by everyone.

5. Dave Connolly emerges as a future champ

At 21 years old, Dave Connolly's exceptional race-winning talents in the NHRA's Pro Stock class are nothing short of remarkable. It doesn't hurt that he has a vast sportsman resume, and that he drives with category legend Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins providing the engines and the tutoring skills, but Connolly's 2004 was far beyond what even he might have predicted. His third-place points finish in only his first full season of competition is a surprising bellweather that the next driver to dethrone Greg Anderson may not be a battle-hardened veteran.

Bill Stephens covers the NHRA for ESPN and ESPN.com.